I once submitted this to an editor as an example for them to show off their work. They had a lot to say about this, and despite whatever you think about me, I want your honest opinion.

Do keep in mind, that I wrote this when I was 18. I've come a long way since then….[[|:-)

Prologue

“It cannot be true, Ayuss.”

Ayuss then twisted the dagger, having been skillfully placed into Argonis's spleen. An almost inaudible grunt could be heard. “This was not my idea, friend. In fact, I voted against it.”

Argonis managed to furrow his brow even more, but then he felt himself go wan. He felt the blood rush from his face. Still, he focused on what was at hand. His near life-long friend and right-hand-man had stabbed him with a fatal blow, and to top it off, there were enough betrayers to vote against the king to convince Ayuss to betray his only friend. “I brought peace to these lands.” He barely managed to get the words out as he crumpled to his knees. Ayuss kept him from falling forward.

“Well, from what I understand, you interrupted a wealthy business. They profited well off of the war in which I helped you put to an end. There are also others who wish to abolish the monarchy all together. Guess who joined forces?”

“I had my own plans--”

“Oh, right, your feudalistic confederacy. Even I can see that the people want a republic. They are tired of being led by one person.”

“A Republic? That is what they want, but...” He coughed up blood, and now his teeth and lips were covered in it, “they are proposing an oligarchy. Do not be fooled.” Argonis's vision went blurry, and he struggled to get a hold of Ayuss's face. “Do not be--” He suddenly collapsed into Ayuss's chest; dead.

Ayuss removed the dagger, and laid his bygone friend down gently. As if eavesdropping, someone opened the door to the royal stables. Ayuss suspected it would be the Knight-Commander. As he turned to see who it was, he was met with a hard slap to his face. He furrowed his brow, and breathed in heavily, only to be met with another slap, then another. He calmed his demeanor as soon as he realized it was the Queen.

Lilyanna's eyes were already welling with tears, and a few spilled as she exclaimed, “How dare you!” She swung for another slap to his face, but it was a weak effort, Ayuss easily stopping it.

“It had to be done. There was no other way.” He was only met with increased sobbing, and having to keep another individual from falling forward. He put his arms around her. “I'm sorry.” Ayuss was surprised to feel a tear escape his eye. He did his best to hold it to that, and he began to help her up to escort her back, but she brushed past him to retrieve Argonis's knight medallion. She then abruptly bumped into him as she left without an escort, running out through the door. Ayuss ran after her. As he opened the door, however, he found she had had a horse ready, and she was galloping off at full speed. Ayuss sighed, but couldn't blame her for running away. He never wanted to be a part of this coup in the first place. Despite that, the deed was done. It was now up to the people.

* * * * *

Argonis awoke. He quickly checked his abdomen. Strangely enough, there was no wound. Even more odd was the fact that he was standing, and in a completely different outfit. He wasn't in the stables, but in the Great Hall. Was I just daydreaming? He looked all around the giant room and no one was to be seen. When he listened, there was no sound. Not even any ambient sound.

A strange voice suddenly broke the silence, “You look confused.”

The tone was sarcastic, and despite being a raspy, masculine voice, it had a feminine quality to it. Argonis turned to see a slouching young man with a strong overbite. His expression was lacking.

“Why are you confused?” the young man asked, his expressionless face didn't waver. “Do you not know why you are here?”

The last question sounded condescending. “How dare you refer to the King in such a manner.”

Suddenly, the young man's face changed. He looked rather annoyed at this point. “Well, excuse me, Mr. Your Highness,” he exclaimed the title with air quotes, his tone was insultingly facetious, “you're in the Land In Mobius's Back Oven.” His tone ended condescendingly once again, his eyes going comically wide with emphasis.

Argonis was speechless. Not only at the fact that he had never met anyone like this person, but he had never heard of such a land. “Where did you say we are? This looks to me like the Great Hall from my castle in Vallenmore City.”

The young man began tapping his foot rapidly, and almost mumbled, “I don't have time for this.” He quickly reached into a pocket in his shirt and handed a tiny silver dragon scale to Argonis.

Argonis took the scale from him, and as soon as he did, he heard a voice he recognized.

“I warned you, Argonis. I told you our secret would get out.”

Argonis's stomach quickly became an empty pit. He gave one last look at the odd young man before turning around to face Syldanara. She was in human form, and as beautiful as ever.

She continued, “I never thought they would take it this far. I could have never predicted it would be by Ayuss's hand, let alone that they would take your life.”

Argonis smiled at her. He suddenly knew where he was, and was glad to see a familiar face. Especially one that he had loved. “If I am dead, how can you be talking to me?”

“My magic knows no bounds. I had to make sure you understand your destiny.”

“You mean, 'understood', right?”

“You are merely being punished, by the Gods themselves, mind. You still have more story to be told.”

“Is that why I am in limbo?”

“Precisely.”

“Why am I being punished, Syl?”

“Something tells me you know exactly why.” She stated this with a wry smile at the end.

“Punished for love. Punished for a weak moment?” Even to him, his plea didn't sound very convincing. He knew he had broken his bond to his wife when they had had their fling. “I hope they are not punishing you as well.”

“My existence is too involved to be punished. You know that.” Argonis nodded his head. “As we speak, I am having to make up this time. You must find your sword and take it to where it leads you.” With that said, she instantly disappeared.

Argonis then slouched with a heavy sigh. He looked over his shoulder to find that the strange young man was gone as well. He thought but for a moment when he realized where his sword would be found.

As he stared at his corpse, a buzzing chill ran throughout his body. If any of this felt or even seemed unreal, this moment was hitting the hardest. No one ever goes through life thinking they will have to look at their corpse after they die, let alone have to take something from it. Argonis struggled to break his paralysis. He has seen many corpses in his time, but nothing could have prepared, or even desensitized him for this moment. As a wave of weakness washed over him, he suddenly snapped to, becoming hyper-aware of his surroundings. He couldn't even hear his heartbeat. All he could hear were his thoughts. The image of Ayuss's face. From that moment when he stabbed him. He didn't understand the expression before. He realized now that it was a show of relief. That moment of satisfaction when the burden is lifted off of your shoulders. Was I truly such a pain? Could I not have been convinced to give up my throne? Please forgive me, Lilyanna. A tear wrenched itself from the corner of his eye as he finally mustered the courage to grab his sword. The normally four pound, cold, steel blade felt like nothing in his hands. He ran his thumb across the six-pointed star on the hilt. The luster of his well-polished sword seemed lacking, and it wasn't for a lack of light. It just made him sad thinking of the time when he had found the rust-covered blade. He had taken his time in restoring it, enjoying every moment of refurbishing the ancient weapon.

It wasn't long before the sword came to life, flying up from his hands and pointing in the direction he was to go. Argonis audibly breathed a heavy sigh. “Here we go.” With that said, he grabbed the handle of his sword and began walking. Despite how he felt, Argonis walked with a stoicism in his step. Much like when he took the throne almost thirty years prior. It felt good to have a lot less responsibilities for once.

The sword did not lead him along roads, or even trails. It led him in a straight line, right to where he was destined to go. He walked for what seemed like many, many miles. The suns remained in the same place the entire time; midday. He did note along the way that he did not feel hot or cold, nor did he sweat from the exertion of walking up and down the rolling hills of the northern Gorvan Plains during the hottest part of the year. The grasses were a beautiful shimmering gold this time of year. It was the reason for their name, Golnhiln, or Goldhill in modern speak. He loved riding his horse along these hills, and was very familiar with the path in which they were taking. Then it struck him. Is this sword taking me to where I think it is taking me? He would often ride to the very same spot. The spot where he had first met Syl. He still had her scale in his shieldhand, and he opened his hand to admire it. He hoped to be able to see her once again, no matter his fate. Even just one last kiss.

Memories began to flood his mind. Ever since they had parted, he only ever dreamed of returning to her embrace. He had always joked with her that she had magicked his love for her. It had been a fixed marriage between him and Lilyanna. He had never experienced true love, until he met Syldanara, that is. He did love Lilyanna with all of his heart, but deep down, they both knew it was not true love.

Before he realized it, he was there, and the sword suddenly stopped, pointing down to a spot. He immediately recognized it as the spot in which she was laying when he had found her. In a small copse of trees, hidden behind a tall stump just north of The Old Main Road. He could almost see her there now. His re-envisioning of those moments was interrupted as he felt the sword begin to vibrate. Before he could even assess what was happening, he watched in horror as he slowly turned into a bright blue mist. The mist was swirling around the sword and seemed to be becoming a part of the sword itself. His first thought was to pull away, but his arms had already turned to mist. He went to run away, but by then his waist had turned to mist. The process was disorientating enough, despite watching his very soul become trapped inside of his sword.

The sword fell with a clang and a light ringing. It was the first sound Argonis had heard since Syl's voice and it truly startled him. It was then he noticed the ambient sounds returned. He could hear the birds chirping, the leaves rustling in the wind. It was music to his ears. He tried to move, and quickly realized this was his resting spot. He could tell he was near the base of the large stump, because it was obscuring some of his view of the sky, but he loved it just the same. He was unsure as to what was to happen next, but he was glad to have something that would continually remind him of his greatest love.

Thank you so much for reading. I hope you have a wonderful day….[[|:-)